The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 18i and OnePlus Nord CE 5G represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, particularly in chipset choice and charging speed. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers superior efficiency and a smoother experience compared to the Tecno Camon 18i’s Helio G85. While the Camon 18i is a capable device, the Nord CE 5G’s advantages in processing power and charging outweigh its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 01 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Sea, Frost Silver, Tranquil Green | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | CG6 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 18i
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G85)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely lower display brightness
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- More efficient and powerful chipset (Snapdragon 750G)
- Faster charging (30W, 70% in 30min)
- Higher display brightness (607 nits)
- Slightly higher price
- Camera performance dependent on software optimization
- May not be significantly faster in everyday tasks for casual users
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 607 nits of peak brightness, a significant advantage over what is typical for the Camon 18i’s panel (spec not provided, but likely lower based on price point). This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), the Nord CE 5G’s brightness is a tangible benefit. The absence of refresh rate information for the Camon 18i suggests it likely operates at the standard 60Hz, while the Nord CE 5G’s display technology isn’t specified, but is likely a standard LCD.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Camon 18i. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s camera performance will depend heavily on its main sensor and image processing algorithms. Without specific details on the Camon 18i’s camera hardware, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. It’s reasonable to assume the Nord CE 5G, given OnePlus’s camera reputation, will offer a more refined and consistent camera experience. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on budget phones suggests avoiding expectations for exceptional macro or depth sensing on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm), featuring a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 CPU core configuration alongside 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. This 8nm process node is more efficient than the 12nm process used in the Tecno Camon 18i’s MediaTek Helio G85. The Helio G85, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, will deliver adequate performance for everyday tasks, but the Snapdragon 750G’s architecture and efficiency will result in smoother multitasking and better sustained performance during gaming. The Snapdragon 750G also integrates a 5G modem directly, potentially offering more reliable 5G connectivity.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Tecno Camon 18i’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s 30W wired charging capability is a significant advantage. It can reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Camon 18i’s 18W charging is considerably slower. This faster charging speed translates to less downtime and greater convenience for users. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 750G also contributes to better battery management, potentially offsetting any capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18i if you need a functional 5G phone with a focus on basic tasks and are extremely budget-constrained. It’s a viable option for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prefer a more responsive experience, faster charging, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding applications and occasional gaming. The Nord CE 5G is ideal for users who want a phone that feels more future-proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 750G in the OnePlus Nord CE 5G powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. It’s not a flagship-level gaming chip, but it provides a noticeable improvement over the Helio G85 in the Camon 18i, offering better frame rates and stability.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 18i in real-world use?
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G can reach 70% charge in 30 minutes, while the Tecno Camon 18i will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same charge level. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Tecno Camon 18i support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
While not explicitly stated, Tecno phones generally support VoLTE and VoWiFi in regions where carriers offer these services. However, compatibility depends on your carrier and region, so it’s best to verify with your provider.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use?
Both the Tecno Camon 18i and OnePlus Nord CE 5G utilize USB-C ports for charging and data transfer, offering compatibility with a wide range of accessories.
